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Both of them provide excellent stats. The only problem is that as a tracker service and not a log analysis program they require the downlod of a graphic to record the visit. So, if your page if half loaded and the graphic has not downloaded completely - you get no info on the visit.

One tip which perhaps I should not mention is that you can put the graphic (code) inside a layer. Position the layer off to the left of the screen and the tracker will still work. In other words, you can use the free tracker and not display the graphic.

Hmmm.. perhaps I should not have said that but I'll leave it up to the folks who make these things to figure out how to deal with this issue.

On the high end, Web Trends is good for log analys. I've used that for quite some time and it's very effective. It's limitations are that it can be very confusing to use if you have a framed site and if you have to wait for updates from your host there is never any live content.

I'm still using Web Trends for log analysis somewhat, but I recently switched over to Live Stats. All I can say about that is that Live Stats absolutly rocks. I can create custom reports on just about any subject you can think of. And its's always fun to log into the Live Stats program and see exactly who is on your site or which robot is crawling it.

Originally posted by JK_Bowman
One tip which perhaps I should not mention is that you can put the graphic (code) inside a layer. Position the layer off to the left of the screen and the tracker will still work. In other words, you can use the free tracker and not display the graphic.

Watch out though doing this ~ As long as this isn't violating the hit counter's TOS Be sure that you read the limitations of any remote service that you incorporate into your website, free or otherwise, or you could lose the service or more...it may not be worth it in the long run.

And remember the SitePoint Community Guidelines ~ Deceptive practices are not allowed on the SP Forums.

Just a reminder...WebKat

Dlynn :: SitePoint Senior Advisor ::PawPrint Designs by WebKat
"Dogs come when they're called; Cats take a message and get back to you later." ~ Mary Bly

If you use http://www.SiteMeter.com then you don't have to worry about hiding the counter - it has an option to become invisible on your page...still clickable, but you can set your stats as "Private" so that even if someone finds it, and clicks on it, they won't be taken to your stats, they'll be redirected to the SiteMeter home page.

I highly recommend SiteMeter - it's the only hit counter I use for any of my sites.

I liked SiteMeter, as they had a lot of stats, where people went, came from, length of visit, every little detail. However, once I went with HostRocket, I found that they had an AWESOME set up. Bascially, see what your host has to offer, they will be the most accurate.

Yeah, I like SiteMeter too, it can send email report to you.
However, I prefer in-site trackers or software
Like you download the log file and use software
to analyze it, pretty fast and extremely detailed!
And I am talking about FastStats

The only problem i've found is that at peak times they're really slow. Bummer eh?

I'm on the look out for a new, pref. invisible one.

Ady

Well I have never used thecounter.com, but my work buddie I sit next to used it and it was truly inaccurate..

The majority of the referals were porn related and his site was a localk football club site !!!! All of the info was just totally useless...

For me my hosts is good enough for now, but I got webtrends at work which is amazing... Man it tells you everything... Wouldn'y be suprised if the next version tells what colout t-shirt your visitors have on !! LOL